Page 86 of The Haunting of Lockton

He nodded and clutched the books tighter. “I love doing our show, Sky. I really do. But when I think about it, it’s mainly because I’m doing it with you.”

I stopped walking as we reached the SUV. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Julian sighed. “Forget it. I’m just in my head, I think. And tired.”

When we returned to Redwood, he crawled into bed and turned away from me. Maybe hewasjust tired. I grabbed my phone and smiled at the text waiting for me there.

Paxton:I’m wearing a male corset today. Just thought you’d like to know.

I bit back a groan.

Me:Pics or it didn’t happen.

Paxton:I’m not that easy, Knox.

Good fucking god, I was crazy about him. A part of me hoped we didn’t find anything when Jules and I went back to Lockton. It would require us to stay in town longer, giving me even more time with him.

Me:When all the guys start flirting and fighting you, don’t forget about me ;)

Paxton:No worries about that. They’d have to be interested to flirt.

He really didn’t see himself the way I did.

Me:Well, they’re all fucking idiots.

The dots moved as he typed back a response, and then they stopped. Struggling again with what to say? Second-guessing everything? I was about to text him something silly to make him laugh when his response finally came through.

Paxton:I know this is tacky to do through text, but I’m not brave enough to ask you face to face. What is this between us, Skyler? What happens when the investigation is over?

And just like that, a knot tightened in my gut. Reality had bled back in.

Me:Tbh, idk. I like you. A lot.

Paxton:But?

Now, I was the one second-guessing and overthinking my response.

Me:Let’s go one day at a time and worry about all that later.

It showed that he read the text, but he didn’t reply.

I’d broken my rules with Paxton. I had let myself get too close. So the ache in my chest was my own damn fault. I only wished I wouldn’t have brought him down with me.

Chapter Twelve

Paxton

I welcomed the solitude of the cemetery, needing the peaceful atmosphere even more than usual that night. The tour had ended twenty or so minutes ago, and everyone had cleared the grounds, leaving me alone with nothing but my thoughts.

“Let’s go one day at a time and worry about all that later.”

The text had made everything clear. Even if our feelings were mutual, going beyond sexual attraction, it didn’t matter.

Skyler was a charming playboy who swept into town, had fun with whoever showed interest, and then dropped them like a hot potato once the investigation was over. I’d known that going in, but for some goddamn reason, I had disregarded that voice of reason and let myself get swept up in the fantasy.

“God, I’m an idiot,” I muttered, shoving up from the bench and walking among the graves.

Why try to fly when staying grounded was safer? Yet, instead of listening to my own warning, I had leapt off the edge and crashed right into Skyler, convincing myself he’d catch me. I should’ve known he’d drop me. Trusting people was dumb.